The holiday season is a busy time of year for most of us, not just because of the bustling shoppers you have to contend with, the packages waiting to be wrapped, and visitors like the in-laws coming and going. You also have to deal with end-of-the year projects and deadlines, goal setting, and budget proposals for the coming year, not to mention a smaller staff due to employees taking vacation to spend time with their families. With so much to do, it may seem tempting – or absolutely necessary – to skip the holiday celebrations all together and start sleeping at the office to help you save time and get more done.
If you plan on working during the holidays, you’re not alone. A recent survey from Egnyte, a leading provider of cloud file server solutions, found that 82% of small business professionals plan to work during the upcoming holidays. And, of those planning to work, 73% said they will work on Thanksgiving, while 87% plan to work during the December holidays. While most will work from home and some will head into the office, 83% plan to access work information using their smartphones.
You may not be able to get away from work this holiday season, but you should try to take a break from it all. Taking time off from work helps you refresh and recharge. It can help prevent burnout and actually makes you more productive – not less. But, if you absolutely have to work during the holidays, you should set some ground rules now to make sure you take advantage of your time off.
Not sure where to start? Try these basics rules for the workaholic or just the hard working to help get you started.
Limit Your Time
Set a limit on the amount of time you spend at the office or working from home during the holiday. You’ll be more focused to get as much done as you can in the time allotted and you will be less likely to let time get away from you all together – something your body, mind, stress levels, and entire family will appreciate. Let your co-workers know that you will be available for contact during the allotted time and when you will be checking e-mails so they know when to reach you if they need something.
Schedule the Time You Work Wisely
With all the memories to be made and fun to have, make sure you schedule the time you do work wisely, so you don’t miss out on the celebrations. Decide if it would be better to wake up early to get stuff done before the family starts the day or during the afternoon when everyone’s out shopping. Pick a time that allows you to be focused and effective but doesn’t cut into your family or break time. The more attentive you can be to the tasks at hand, the less time you will have to split between your work and your personal time.
Turn Off Your Phone
Once you’ve completed the time you set aside for work, if you’re still tempted to work from your phone, it’s time to take drastic measures and turn your phone off. This will help you stop checking your messages and e-mail. Just like you needed quality time to get your work done, you need quality time to break from it all. If you’ve let your co-workers and clients know when you will be available to contact, they’ll know when you’re checking messages and will get back to them.
The holidays are a time to spend with family and friends. They are a time to take a break and refresh. But the reality is there’s still a lot to do at the office. So, if you can’t get away completely during the holidays, start setting ground rules now because you don’t want to miss everything the season has in store.
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